Latest news with #Marmosets
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Wildlife dept opposes relocation of seized exotic monkeys to Lahore
Monkeys under the custody of the Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation, which they were handed over to after being rescued from an illegal consignment at Karachi airport. PHOTO: ACF Listen to article The Sindh Wildlife Department has formally opposed the proposed relocation of 26 exotic monkeys — Capuchins and Marmosets — from Karachi to Lahore, urging the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) to reconsider its directive issued on May 8, 2025. The department has called for adherence to legal protocols and scientific standards in dealing with the animals, which were seized in December 2024 at Jinnah international airport, after being illegally imported from South Africa using forged documents. The monkeys were confiscated by Pakistan Customs in violation of both national and international wildlife laws. Following the seizure, the animals were placed in the care of the Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation (ACF), a private animal welfare facility, on an emergency basis. Despite the matter being sub judice before a competent Customs court, the deputy conservator of wildlife, Ministry of Climate Change in Islamabad, directed the animals be transferred to a facility in Lahore. The Sindh Wildlife Department has raised serious concerns over the legality of this directive, warning that such action — without court approval — could compromise judicial proceedings and violate procedural integrity. In April 2025, the Sindh chief secretary convened a high-level virtual meeting to address the issue. Attendees included representatives from the Ministry of Climate Change, Pakistan Customs, Sindh Wildlife Department, WWF-Pakistan, and other key stakeholders. Subsequently, a technical committee was constituted by the federal secretary MoCC to assess the case and provide evidence-based recommendations grounded in law, science, and animal welfare. The joint report submitted by the Sindh Wildlife Department and WWF-Pakistan concluded that relocating the primates to Lahore would be detrimental to their health and welfare. It stressed that such a move would contradict legal standards and sound scientific practices. The report pointed out that the proposed Lahore facility lacks the species-specific infrastructure and expertise required to care for tropical primates, citing previous failures in hygiene, veterinary care, behavioral enrichment, and animal welfare. Despite these findings, the Ministry of Climate Change issued a recommendation on May 8 for the transfer of the animals to Lahore — without consulting the constituted committee or reviewing its report. The Sindh Wildlife Department, in its formal response, expressed concern over the ministry's unilateral action and the absence of any communication with the trial court where the matter is currently under legal scrutiny. The department stated that all wildlife found within Sindh's territorial jurisdiction is protected under Section 21 of the Sindh Wildlife Protection Act, 2020. Moreover, Rule 43 of the Sindh Wildlife Protection Rules, 2022, places the legal onus on airlines or transport operators involved in illegal wildlife importation to facilitate either deportation or lawful disposal, based on the wildlife officer's recommendation. From a scientific standpoint, the department strongly objected to relocating the monkeys, which are highly sensitive New World primates adapted to stable tropical climates. Capuchins and Marmosets require specific environmental conditions, including temperature regulation, enriched enclosures, social groupings, specialized diets, and experienced veterinary care—resources currently lacking at the Lahore facility. A senior official from the Sindh Wildlife Department urged the Ministry of Climate Change to revisit the findings of the technical committee and to reconvene the multi-stakeholder forum before making any final decision.
The National
01-05-2025
- General
- The National
Monkey found 'stressed' in bird cage in East Lothian
SSPCA officers were called out after neighbours in East Lothian spotted a young marmoset in a large bird cage in a living room window in March. The four-year-old monkey, named Steve, was found underweight and stressed out from constant handling. (Image: SSPCA / PA) Officers said he had developed an addiction to marshmallows after being constantly fed them. The SSPCA inspectors took Steve into their care, and after six weeks, he made a full recovery. He has since been transferred to a permanent home in a monkey sanctuary in England. SSPCA shared the 'harrowing' story as part of its Don't Pet Me campaign, in collaboration with wildlife charities Born Free and OneKind, to raise awareness of the wild animal pet trade in Scotland. READ MORE: Endangered giraffe arrives at Scottish safari park in bid to boost breeding The charity urged the Scottish Government to introduce a permitted list of animals that can be legally kept as pets as at present there are very few restrictions on what animals can be owned. The campaign is accompanied by a petition calling for a permitted list of animals that can be kept as pets. SSPCA director of strategic communications and partnership engagement, Gilly Mendes Ferreira, said many people are unaware of the 'growing and worrying trend' of keeping wild animal keeping in Scotland. She said: 'Animals like Steve being bought and sold as novelty pets, often on impulse, with little understanding of the complex care they require.' She added that although the animals may look cute they are 'anything but easy' to look after. 'Marmosets are highly intelligent, social primates that need space, stimulation, and the companionship of their own kind,' she said. 'No domestic setting, no matter how well-meaning, can truly meet those needs. Thankfully Steve's story has a happy ending but not every animal will be so lucky.' The charities investigated online and pet shop sales, and commissioned research into the motivations and behaviours of those keeping wild animals, with the findings included in their Don't Pet Me report. Researchers found that over a 16-week period, creatures from more than 300 species were advertised for sale in Scotland. The report highlights trade in wild animals as pets is international, with some transported by mail services and couriers, in inappropriate containers, sometimes without any indication a live animal is inside. It found many first-time owners are younger people, born after 1980. READ MORE: Hotel on Scotland's NC500 with 'stunning views' put up for sale It is thought requests from children may persuade people to acquire such a pet, while it has also been linked to external influences like social media, films and games such as Pokemon and Minecraft. OneKind's director of policy Kirsty Jenkins said: 'The research we commissioned painted a deeply worrying picture of how species commonly referred to as 'exotic pets' are thought of and treated – often as commodities or collections. 'Such sad stories emerged, of animals being kept in tiny boxes, poor diets, social isolation, forced handling, accidents and deaths. 'The law is currently failing to protect these animals – that must change.' Born Free's captivity research and policy manager, Chris Lewis, said the campaign highlights the distressing number and variety of wild animals for sale in Scotland and the lack of regulatory oversight. 'This should be a major cause for concern for the Scottish Government, legislators, animal-lovers and the public in general,' he said. 'Worryingly, the data and stories of individual animals included in the report may only be the tip of the iceberg. The existing legislation is inappropriate and outdated, it is unable to keep up with ever changing trends and demand for wild animals as pets.' He added: 'Most tragically though it is failing to protect the animals sadly caught up in this trade. 'Something needs to change. In the lead up to the next Scottish election, Born Free is calling on all political parties in Scotland to commit to comprehensive changes to the laws around the buying, selling and keeping of wild animals as pets.' The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
